Tag Archives: music

Have You Heard? – (8) “This City Never Sleeps” by the Eurythmics

Posted on January 20, 2012 by John S

“You can hear the sound of the underground train, though it feels like distant thunder…” I made a playlist and put it on CD for a couple of people close to me at Christmas which I called “Night”. It was … Continue reading →

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Have You Heard? – (7) She’s Lost Control” by Joy Division

Posted on January 18, 2012 by John S

Writing about Joy Division tonight for my book on music, I found this video during what passes for research! Two great tracks, “Transmission” first, but at 3.13 is the one I wanted to write about: “She’s Lost Control”. An extraordinary, … Continue reading →

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Have You Heard? – (6) The Worldwide sound of Gilles Peterson

Posted on January 13, 2012 by John S

I like a lot of different kinds of music. It can confuse people – how can you possibly like Metallica and, I dunno, Joni Mitchell?  How can you reconcile  Bruce Springsteen with Underworld? The Clash with Alicia Keys? Kate Bush … Continue reading →

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Have You Heard ?… (5) Grace Jones, with Sly and Robbie, 80s style

Posted on December 23, 2011 by John S

I was tubing it into to work today, on the Piccadilly Line, a bit weary.  Nearly Christmas, time for a break.  Reading the Guardian on my iPad, I felt like something upbeat, but not too raucous.  I flipped through my … Continue reading →

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Bryan Ferry at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, 14 December 2011

Posted on December 21, 2011 by John S

Went with my friend Jon to see Bryan Ferry last week.  Great venue, the Shepherds Bush Empire.  Medium size, standing on the ground floor. Plenty of bars. You can see the band close up and enjoy a beer. And the … Continue reading →

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Music – my best of 2011

Posted on December 14, 2011 by John S

As we approach Christmas, music nerds everywhere feel the urge to compile their lists of the best albums, tracks, events and so on.  The magazines and papers lead the way.  I love it. I like to check whether I’m in … Continue reading →

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Paul McCartney at the O2, 5 December

Posted on December 6, 2011 by John S

What an amazing concert. Macca on fantastic form: looking good, singing beautifully, rocking out.  Superb backing band, and, er, decent back catalogue.  The set list speaks for itself. Hello Goodbye Junior’s Farm – Wings All My Loving Jet – more … Continue reading →

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Have you heard? … (4) “Garage Inc” by Metallica

Posted on November 18, 2011 by John S

As I was watching Metallica, with Lou Reed, pulverise the Velvet Underground’s “White Light/White Heat” on Jools Holland last week, my thoughts turned to the album which might be the least known of Metallica’s, but which is actually my favourite. … Continue reading →

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Still in love with U2

Posted on November 10, 2011 by John S

Two things prompted this piece.  First I’m in the middle of writing about U2 for my book. Second, I read on an NME website post that Bono has been apologising about the band’s performance at Glastonbury, saying that amongst other … Continue reading →

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Have you heard? … (3) Clash reggae

Posted on November 6, 2011 by John S

The history of rock’n’roll bands turning their hands to reggae is not an edifying one.  “D’Yer Maker” off “Houses of the Holy” by Led Zeppelin is a candidate for their worst song ever. The Rolling Stones’ take of “Cherry Oh … Continue reading →

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